A number of key stakeholders in the Echuca business community have been invited to speak to the Legislative Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday morning.
The committee is hearing from northern Victorian businesses in the tourism and events industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive Kathryn Mackenzie, Committee for Echuca Moama chair Dean Oberin, co-president of the Echuca Moama Accommodation Association Paul Lavars and Winter Blues chair Peter Williams will all be given the opportunity to address the committee.
Ms Mackenzie said it was important for the town's story to be told.
“The impact is still being felt and continues to grow,” she said.
“So much of the local tourism industry and other businesses have been impacted and we want people to know our stories.”
In March of 2020, the tourism industry brought in more than $1 million a day in Echuca-Moama, but was believed to have lost roughly 80 per cent of its daily income due to coronavirus restrictions at the peak of the lockdown in October.
Modelling at the time suggested the local industry might not return to its peak for more than a year, with further lockdowns on both sides of the border creating further issues.
Ms Mackenzie said state politicians needed to know the full extent of the impact on both sides of the river.
“It's a great opportunity for Parliament to ask those questions, discuss what we have seen and what we have been through — and continue to go through — as a result,” she said.
“We are continuing to find our way through, and we hope our experiences helps for the future.”
The hearing will be broadcast at 10am on June 2 on Parliament's website.
The committee will provide recommendations to the state government on the best way to restore the tourism and events sectors, including the thousands of jobs threatened by the ongoing effects of the global pandemic.
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